Breast cancer awareness month universal

By Margaritta Munroe

Word of Life Ministries Int'l

October is breast cancer awareness month universal. This is a subject that no-one likes to talk about, or even think about, for that matter. But the painful reality is, it is a fact of life. According to Norma Headley of The Cancer Association of Grand Baha-ma, "You don't choose cancer, cancer chooses you." She went on to say, "Persons with close family members who were diagnosed with, or died from, cancer, should have regular tests done. It could be any form of cancer, not just breast cancer."

I lost my dear aunt Louise to colon cancer many years ago, and a few short years ago, I lost one of my favourite cousins, Virginia (Genie) to breast cancer. This is the time when more emphasis is made and more prodding is given to urge women to have those all important mammograms and other exams done. Trust me ladies, it is really worth the time and effort to have this examination done. It cannot be stressed or emphasized enough. It can really save your life.

Like me, many of you, no doubt, have had loved ones, family members or friends who have fallen prey to this deadly disease. It is always hard to lose loved ones, but it becomes even more difficult when you as the family member, are totally powerless to do anything to help them. Some days all you can do is just be there for them. Sometimes all it takes is an understanding heart. Many times people just need you to be there for them, to be a listening ear; to reassure them that you understand and that they don't have to apologize for anything.

During this time, the best things we can give to our loved ones are prayer and an understanding or discerning heart. It is during times like these that we need to reach out to God, who alone has the power to do something about the situation... wheth-er it is "yea" or "nay."

The following devotional, An Understanding Heart by Carol Kuykendall, is a wonderful example of friendship, love and an understanding heart at a time when cancer visited a close friend. The passage is taken from I Kings 3:1-9, where King Solomon prayed to God to give him an understanding heart. Let that be your prayer as you read this devotional, that God will give you an understanding heart that you will have the right words to say during a difficult time in someone's life.

"I hug my friend Lois when she opens her front door: "How are you today?" I ask, realizing how powerful her honest answer could be. Lois has inoperable lung cancer.

"I'm okay," she smiles, but her shoulders feel thin to me. I visit her often these days, to bring a basket of fresh peaches, a bunch of helium balloons or a new prescription of pills. Today I've come to help plan her 43rd birthday party. Though she doesn't like big-deal celebrations, she's agreed to a small gathering of family and friends. But as we sit together at her kitchen table, pencil and paper in hand, our conversation wanders away from party planning and cake flavours. We talk about planning the future.

"I don't know how to plan an uncertain future...," she confesses, and then she is crying. My heart aches. Ever since I learned of her cancer, I have prayed not only for her miraculous healing, but that we, her friends, would be able to meet her needs. Sometimes, like right now, I feel so helpless and inadequate. What can I do or say to ease her hurt?

"Lois," I almost plead, "if our roles were reversed – if you were me – what would you say right now?"

"Nothing," she answered quietly. "I'd just listen."

And there in her simple response is my answer. As a friend, I can't heal or change this painful situation. But I can listen... with ears that open into my heart."

An Understanding Heart – Carol Kuykendall, Women's Devotional Bible, pg. 348

May God's peace and comfort be upon all those who have lost loved ones to this deadly disease.

The Cancer Association of Grand Bahama is available for counselling daily. The office is open Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon and until 1:00 p.m. on Fridays. They are gearing up for the Association Luncheon which will be held on Sunday, October 17, at 1:00 p.m. at the headquarters on West Atlantic Drive. The Keynote speaker for this event is Linda Malcolm. Some of the events planned for this month by the Association are: an Open House, which will be held from October 18-22 at the Cancer Association headquarters on West Atlantic Drive. Then on October 30 there will be a Walk/Run-A-thon. One of the major projects of the Association, that is soon to come on stream, is a new hospice centre called, 'Comfort Haven."

For more information about counselling, assistance, up-coming events and activities, and The Cancer Association of Grand Bahama, please feel free to contact Norma Headley at the following numbers: 352-2873, 646-4142, 373-4773.

© 2010 The Freeport News